St. Francis de Sales

Spiritual Conferences

The Spiritual Conferences
of St. Francis de Sales are conferences he held with the Sisters of the
Visitation. Their aim is to give them what they need for perfection in
their vocation, perfection of love for God and for neighbor. This love
shows itself in humility and gentleness, humility before God and
gentleness to one's neighbor.

Conference 1: the obligation of the Constitutions of the Visitation of Holy Mary; the spirit of devotion.

Conference 2: On obedience.

Conference 3: On confidence and abandonment.

Conference 4: On renunciation.

Conference 5: On love for human persons.

Conference 6: On modesty.

Conference
7: Questions: (a) regarding the confession of things that confessors
don't understand; (b) on complaining about someone else; (c) on what to
do when given books to read; (d) on telling superiors about those who
are guilty of wrong behavior; (e) on finding imperfections in others;
(f) whether there should be a distinction between the superior and the
other sisters as regards food and clothing

Conference 8: On the five degrees of humility

Conference 9: On the rule

Conference 10: On heartfelt love (accompanied by affability and cheerfulness)

Conference 11: On compliance with the will of God

Conference 12: On obedience

Conference 13: On the intention one should have in entering religious life

Conference 14: On simplicity

Conference 15: On self-indulgence

Conference 16: On new foundations (of the sisters)

Conference 17: On new sisters' entering religious life (recognizing a true vocation)